D. Kuijper

This PhD project examines how the return of the wolf in the Netherlands affects year-round grazing by large herbivores, especially cattle and horses, and what that means for nature management, vegetation development, and public access. The research is centered on understanding how grazers respond to wolves, how breed and herd composition shape resilience, and how changes in behaviour and habitat use influence ecological outcomes across managed natural areas. The project combines several complementary research approaches. You will carry out literature review work to map international scientific knowledge and practical experience on wolves, large grazers, and conservation grazing. Field-based behavioural research will use camera traps and thermal imaging to study how cattle and horses react to wolves and how they defend themselves and their young. GPS tracking will be used to analyse how the animals use their home ranges and how spatial behaviour relates to wolf presence and activity. You will also investigate population-level effects by analysing data on births, mortality, predation, and herd composition. In parallel, vegetation monitoring will help determine whether changes in grazing behaviour and habitat use affect vegetation structure, plant species composition, and woody regeneration. A further part of the project focuses on visitor experiences and interactions with recreation, making the study relevant to both ecological and social dimensions of wildlife management. The research draws on ongoing activities in areas such as Drents-Friese Wold and Hart van Drenthe and will be extended to other Dutch nature areas where wolves and large grazers occur, including the Veluwe. The PhD is embedded in the research group of Prof. C. Smit at the University of Groningen, with co-supervision by Prof. D. Kuijper of the Mammal Research Institute in Poland. The project offers a combination of ecological theory, intensive fieldwork, and applied research with direct relevance for conservation management. The PhD project is based in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen and involves close collaboration with researchers and practice partners.